Sanitary graduate rack



Oct. 25, 1960 c. M. BERLENER SANITARY GRADUATE RACK Filed Feb. 24. 1958 Clarence M. Ber/ener INVENTOR.

BY Anmuys United States Patent Patented Oct. 25, 1960 This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a rack which is expressly but not necessarily of which open through the transverse ends.

2 provided with a channel or groove, the end portions 28 The central portion is wider and deeper at 30 and provides a finger recess. This channel is provided with drainage holes 32 and provides a ledge for a readily accessible stirring rod (not shown). Experience has shown that the material best suited for this graduate holder or tube rack is an appropriate grade of commercial plastics. Actually the base could be made from a light metal or even glass. However, trial tests have shown that glass breaks too easily and that metal becomes corroded. Since in some instances it is desirable to insert the rack into a sterilizer designed and suitably adapted for use by a druggist to aid him in measuring various components and ingredients which are employed in the preparation of medicine and required for example, in a given prescription.

Stated more specifically, the invention has to do with a rack which is characterized by a suitable base equipped with a plurality of upright members which are attached to and rise vertically from the base and are suitably arranged to serve as support members for inverted graduates of varying sizes.

Novelty is predicated on a base provided on its bottom side with suction cups to assist in anchoring the base and retaining it in a satisfactory position. Vertical holes are drilled through a central longitudinal portion of the base and the upper ends of the holes are counterbored to provide sockets. The sockets serve to receive the insertable and removable lower end portions of readily applicable and removable plastic tubes. These tubes constitute the support members for the inverted graduates in a practical and an obvious manner.

In carrying out the invention the top surface or side of the base is preferably provided adjacent one lengthwise edge with a longitudinally disposed groove which functions as a simple ledge for stirring rods. The central portion of the groove is widened to provide a finger recess to facilitate removal of the stirring rods for expedient use.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a rack or holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing the approximate manner in which it is used.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a central transverse cross-section. I

Fig. 4 is an end elevation.

The panel-like base is denoted generally by the numeral 6 and is here shown as rectangular in plan. The top surface 8 may be smooth and flat and the marginal edges, if desired, beveled at 10. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing the bottom side is provided with a plurality of cooperating suction cups 12 fastened in place at 14 (Fig. 3) and serving as suitable hold-down devices for the base. Vertically disposed holes 16 pass through the base from top to bottom and as shown best in Fig. 3, the upper end portion of each hole is counterbored at 18 to provide a socket for reception of the lower end portion 20 of a plastic tube 22. The plastic tubes, as seen in Fig. 1 may vary in height and in fact in crosssection, if desired. In any event the primary purpose of the removable support tube is as a support member for the associated inverted graduate 24. The top surface adjacent the longitudinal edge 26 as seen in Fig. (2 is for high sanitation reasons the materials will necessarily have to be suitable for the needs.

Sizes in models and practice will vary in that the adaptation may be one to hold three to six graduates in one row. To accommodate seven or eight graduates the width of the base would have to be doubled. The plastic tubes may be arranged in two rows and staggered to keep from nicking the edges of the graduates.

It is also within the purview of the concept to employ a base which is of heavy material under which circumstances the suction cups shown could be eliminated. Under these circumstances a blotter or some equivalent absorbent material could be used underneath the drain holes to take up the water. It is further to be set forth that the base could in practice be relatively thin and the bottom corrugated to reinforce the material. The invention may be used as a laboratory test tube rack and graduate holder by staggering the first half of holes for five test tubes and the last half for three small graduates.

In actual practice the top side of the base may be prepared with embosed or otherwise applied liquid measure scales or a chart for classification of blood groups to assist in carrying out blood tests, specific gravity tests and so on.

It will be further evident from the drawing that the elevated base provides for satisfactory aeration, circulation and drainage.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may befesorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

With more specific reference to the above, it may be added that the base could be made of metal covered or coated with suitable porcelain to provide an acid-proof surface; or, if preferred the coating material may be Fiberglas.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in systematically and conveniently holding and racking laboratory test tubes and graduates, a. portable panel made of non-corrodible material, said panel having a flat bottom and a top also flat in the main, said panel constituting a base and being provided on its bottom with readily applicable and removable suction cups, said suction cups being adapted to be mounted on a relatively stationary support surface and serving to space the bottom above said support surface, said panel being provided with at least one row of vertically disposed holes opening through top and bottom surfaces of the panel, said holes being spaced inwardly from adjacent marginal edge portions of the panel and serving as air circulating and ventilating passages and also providing for drainage of liquids and moisture, said suction cups, when detached, permitting the bottom of the panel graduate supporting and elevating tubes, said tubes being transparent, hollow and open at their respective ends and the lower ends of the tubes being fiitted removably in their respective sockets, the tubes, when the graduates are placed thereon in inverted position, permitting drainage by way of the bores therein and also promoting the circulation of air when the graduates are not in position thereon, an upper surface of one longitudinal edge portion of said panel having a groove extending from end to end of the panel and opening through the end portions of the panel and providing a channel-like receiver for convenient reception and retention of stirring ro'ds, said groove being widened and slightly deepened at its central portion and providing a finger accommodating recess which facilitates the step of catching hold of and removing a stirring rod from the channel, the grooved portion of the panel being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical drainage holes opening through the bottom of the panel and at their upper ends into said groove.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, and wherein said groove is spaced a predetermined distance from said vertical ventilating and draining holes first named, and wherein each such hole has its upper portion counterbored to provide a shoulder, the shoulders constituting supporting ledges for the adjacent lower ends of the aforementioned tubes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 788,431 Schneider Apr. 25, 1905 850,381 Lohmann Apr. 16, 1907 1,185,677 Jargstorf June 6, 1916 1,406,773 Stofiel Feb. 14, 1922 1,610,186 Verville Dec. 7, 1926 2,077,378 Deren Apr. 20, 1937 2,172,140 Kieft Sept. 5, 1939 2,228,493 Will Jan. 14, 1941 

